A passport is an official document from your country of origin. It shows your identity and nationality.
You need a passport to travel to many countries. You can also use it as proof of identity.
If you have German citizenship, you can apply for a passport at the Bürgeramt (Citizens’ Office).
If you live in Germany and do not have German citizenship, you can obtain a passport from your country’s embassy or consulate. In many cases, you will need an appointment. It is best to check with your embassy or consulate.
A passport is a small booklet. In Germany, for example, the passport is dark red. Other countries use different colors.
Many passports have a small chip symbol. This means that the passport contains an electronic chip. Your data is stored on this chip. Authorities can check this data.
Your passport contains important information about you. For example:
- your photo
- your date of birth
- the passport number
© Bundesministerium des Innern
